NFL Weekly Recap: Week 8
This NFL season has been everything but predictable. Aside from the Eagles, there haven’t been any teams that have been able to separate themselves. Play around the league has been mediocre, but that has allowed for some underdogs to emerge.
The Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Bills were all on a week seven bye. There weren't any marquee matchups heading into Sunday, but a couple of games were able to exceed our expectations.
With another Sunday down more storylines have materialized.
Washed Up Quarterbacks
Quarterback play around the league has been disappointing. However, the old stalwarts are especially showing their age.
Father time might have finally caught up to Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. The Packers are now 3-4, while the Buccaneers fell to 3-4 as well.
Rodgers and the Packers have now lost three in a row. Green Bay lost star receiver Davante Adams in the offseason, and his absence has been felt. However, the back-to-back MVP quarterback has not done his part.
Meanwhile in Tampa Bay, Brady had his darkest day as a Buccaneer. Tampa Bay fell to the Carolina Panthers 21-3, a team that was considered one if not the worst in the NFL.
Brady’s leadership has been in question after skipping a Saturday walkthrough to go to Robert Kraft’s wedding last week. The future hall of farmer’s team is in serious danger.
Both teams still have a chance at the playoffs in a weak NFC, but it is clear these two quarterbacks are not the same.
New York Is The Football Capital of the World
Two of the greatest storylines to emerge this season involve the two New York football teams that play in New Jersey.
The Giants improved to 6-1, while the Jets beat the Broncos to improve to 5-2. These two teams had little to no expectations heading into the season. Now as we approach Halloween and both of these are fighting for a playoff spot.
It wasn’t pretty for the Jets, but Sauce Gardnner and the defense was money all day long. Gardner has shown to be the front runner for the rookie of the year award.
It was a costly win for the Jets. Breece Hall went down with an injury and is now out for the season with an ACL tear. Huge loss for the Jets, as they have heavily relied on the running game.
The Giants had another nail biting victory in week seven against the Jaguars. The Giants defense held strong and stopped Chrisitan Kirk on the one yard line. Brain Daboll is a frontrunner for coach of the year after this impressive start.
Trouble in Pittsburgh
The Sunday night game featured a matchup of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers came up just short and fell to 2-5 on the season.
The only quarterback taken in the first round last year was Kenny Pickett. Pickett has not been impressive in his four games played throwing for two touchdowns and for seven interceptions.
Mike Tomlin, who has been an institution in Pittsburgh, might be on the hot seat. The Steelers for the first time in the Tomlin era are in danger of finishing below .500.
Aidan Torok is a third-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu.
